Target net

ABSTRACT

The present concept is a target net for receiving and returning a projectile. The target net includes a forward primary hoop defining a primary target opening and a rearward smaller secondary hoop defining a secondary target opening. The primary and secondary hoops are connected with netting forming a front tapered section. The target net also includes a frame for supporting netting and holding upright the hoops in an extended position, with the frame moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The target net is a method of capturing and returning the projectile in a return direction opposite to the direction the target is fired at.

This application claims priority from the previously filed provisional application no. 62/065,172, filed on Oct. 17, 2014 by Randy Fader under the title: TARGET NET.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present concept relates to targets used for practice purposes and more particularly relates to a target net which can be used with ball sports in particular sports such as hockey, ball hockey, baseball, floor hockey and related sports that use a ball or puck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are currently many devices on the market for practicing of shooting of balls and/or pucks and/or other devices which are used in sporting events. Most of these targets are attached to existing nets such as existing hockey nets and/or set up on a permanent basis in certain practice locations.

The disadvantage with the currently used practice targets is that they require a significant amount of time and energy in order to set them up properly and likewise require a significant amount of time and energy to take them down once again. The other disadvantage is that most of the existing practice targets do not return the ball and/or the puck back to the shooter therefore requiring the user of the target to retrieve the balls and/or the pucks after the practice has been completed.

Lastly the disadvantage of most of the existing practice targets is that they are difficult to transport from one location to another.

There is need for a target net which can be easily transported from one location to another, can be easily set up and taken down in any desired location and lastly has the ability to return the ball and/or the puck back to the shooter.

SUMMARY

The present concept is a target net for receiving a projectile, the target net comprising:

-   -   a) a forward primary hoop defining a primary target opening;     -   b) a rearward smaller secondary hoop defining a secondary target         opening; wherein the hoops connected with netting forming a         front tapered section;     -   c) a frame for supporting netting and holding upright the hoops         in an extended position, the frame moveable between an extended         position and a retracted position;     -   d) a means for capturing and returning the projectile in a         return direction opposite to the direction the target is fired         at.

Preferably wherein in the extended position the frame includes a forward angled front leg and a rearward angled rear leg for supporting upright the target net.

Preferably wherein in the collapsed position the primary hoop, the secondary hoop, the front and rear leg are nested adjacent each other in a flattened orientation for easy transport.

Preferably wherein the primary hoop, the secondary hoop the front and rear leg are pivotally mounted relative each other such that they pivot to lie adjacent each other placing the target net in a flattened collapsed position.

Preferably further including a front barrier located below the primary hoop when the net is in the extended position capturing projectiles fired just below the primary hoop.

Preferably wherein the front leg and rear leg are U shaped tubular members.

Preferably wherein the front barrier is a U shaped tubular member.

Preferably wherein the primary hoop is a circular hoop made of tubular material.

Preferably wherein the secondary hoop is a circular hoop made of tubular material.

Preferably wherein the secondary hoop is parallel to and spaced rearward from the primary hoop.

Preferably wherein the secondary hoop is concentric with the primary hoop.

Preferably wherein the capturing means including netting supported by the primary and secondary hoops and the frame.

Preferably wherein the capturing means including a return chute directing the projectile back in a return direction.

Preferably wherein the frame further including a top net support which is connected with netting to one end of the return chute, the netting defining a rear tapered section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present concept will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a target net.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the target net shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front schematic perspective view of the target net shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear elevational view of the target net shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front side schematic perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the target net shown in the extended position.

FIG. 6 is a front side schematic perspective view of the target net shown in FIG. 5 in the retracted position.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the target net in the extended position.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the target net in the collapsed position.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the target net shown in FIG. 7 in the collapsed position.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring first of all to FIGS. 1 through 4 which is target net shown generally as 100 which includes netting 104, a primary hoop 106, a secondary hoop 108, which are supported by support members 126.

Target net 100 further includes frame 110 which includes front supports 112 rear supports 114, cross members 116, legs 118 and feet 120.

Target net further includes a return chute 122 having an outlet 124.

Shown inside elevation schematic view target net 100 the reader will note that secondary hoop 108 is set back from primary hoop 106 by offset distance 134 and in that offset distance 134 the net has a front tapered section 132. Primary hoop 106 defines a front face 130 which defines that largest primary target opening 140 which tapers down through front tapered section 132 to the secondary target opening 142 defined by secondary hoop 108. Netting 104 continues to taper until it reaches return chute 122 through rear tapered section 136.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 which shows target net 200 which also includes a primary hoop 204, a secondary hoop 206, netting 208, top face 210, bottom face 212, a scissor lift section 203, which includes scissor arms 218 wherein scissor lift section 203 is shown in the extended position 202.

Return chute 220 is made of flexible accordion type material which can be collapsed in accordion fashion or extended as shown in FIG. 5.

Shown in FIG. 6 is target net 200 shown in a retracted position 201 wherein return chute 220 has been collapsed in accordion fashion and reduced in length accordingly.

The other features of target net 200 are similar to target net 100 in that there is a primary hoop 204 which defines a primary target opening 240 and a secondary hoop 206 which defines a secondary target opening 242. Furthermore the netting 208 tapers in similar fashion as in target net 100 and includes a front tapered section 232 and a rear tapered section 236.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 & 9 which shows a third embodiment namely target net 300 which includes a primary hoop 306 defining a primary target opening 340 and a secondary hoop 308 which defines a secondary target opening 342. Netting 305 includes a front tapered section 332 and a rear tapered section 336 and target net 300 also includes a top net support 370.

Target net 300 also includes a frame 372 which also include a front net support 356, a front leg 354, a rear leg 352, a connecting member 350, a cross member 358, a support member 386 and netting 305 which is connected to return chute 322.

Frame 372 is shown in the extended position 302 and is shown in the collapsed position 304 in FIG. 8.

Optionally one can include a wheel extension 362 as shown in FIG. 9 and a wheel 360 such that one is able to simply roll target net 300 from one location to another similar as rolling luggage on wheel 360 in the collapsed position 304.

In Use

The reader will note that target net 100, 200 and 300 can be easily placed into position at any desired location either outdoors on concrete, pavement or grass, indoors on ice or any other playing surface.

Target net 100, 200 and 300 is particularly suitable for practicing target shooting with balls or it is also possible to use target net 100, 200 and 300 with pucks and any other device using sporting goods that can pass through return shoot 322.

It is also possible to use target net 100, 200 and 300 for larger playing devices however if they do not pass through return shoot 322 then the auto return feature would not be functional.

Any ball for example which enters into primary target opening 140, 240 or 340 is diverted and channelled by front tapered section 132 or 342 of netting 305 or 104 in towards secondary hoop 308 which defines secondary target opening 142 and/or 342 for example.

Provided the ball manages to pass through secondary hoop 108 or for example 308 and out through rear tapered section 136 or 336 the ball will fall through return shoot 322 and out through outlet 388 back into the direction of where the shooter is standing.

The target net 300 for example is shown in both the extended position 302 and collapsed position 304 in order to make it more portable and easily rolled from one location to another.

It should be apparent to persons skilled in the arts that various modifications and adaptation of this structure described above are possible without departure from the spirit of the invention the scope of which defined in the appended claim. 

I claim:
 1. A target net for receiving a projectile, the target net comprising: a) a forward primary hoop defining a primary target opening; b) a rearward smaller secondary hoop defining a secondary target opening; wherein the hoops connected with netting forming a front tapered section; c) a frame for supporting netting and holding upright the hoops in an extended position, the frame moveable between an extended position and a retracted position; d) a means for capturing and returning the projectile in a return direction opposite to the direction the target is fired at.
 2. The target claimed in claim 1 wherein in the extended position the frame includes a forward angled front leg and a rearward angled rear leg for supporting upright the target net.
 3. The target claimed in claim 2 wherein in the collapsed position the primary hoop, the secondary hoop, the front and rear leg are nested adjacent each other in a flattened orientation for easy transport.
 4. The target claimed in claim 3 wherein the primary hoop, the secondary hoop the front and rear leg are pivotally mounted relative each other such that they pivot to lie adjacent each other placing the target net in a flattened collapsed position.
 5. The target claimed in claim 1 further including a front barrier located below the primary hoop when the net is in the extended position capturing projectiles fired just below the primary hoop.
 6. The target claimed in claim 2 wherein the front leg and rear leg are U shaped tubular members.
 7. The target claimed in claim 5 wherein the front barrier is a U shaped tubular member.
 8. The target claimed in claim 1 wherein the primary hoop is a circular hoop made of tubular material.
 9. The target claimed in claim 1 wherein the secondary hoop is a circular hoop made of tubular material.
 10. The target claimed in claim 1 wherein the secondary hoop is parallel to and spaced rearward from the primary hoop.
 11. The target claimed in claim 1 wherein the secondary hoop is concentric with the primary hoop.
 12. The target claimed in claim 1 wherein the capturing means including netting supported by the primary and secondary hoops and the frame.
 13. The target claimed in claim 1 wherein the capturing means including a return chute directing the projectile back in a return direction.
 14. The target claimed in claim 13 wherein the frame further including a top net support which is connected with netting to one end of the return chute, the netting defining a rear tapered section. 